Anyone can get emotionally exhausted. Emotional exhaustion is sometimes linked to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. However, it can also occur as a natural response to prolonged or intense emotional duress. College life is full of responsibilities that may lead to emotional exhaustion. Classes, jobs, clubs, sports and social events can add up. If you’re feeling a deep emotional exhaustion that goes beyond typical fatigue, it may be time to seek treatment. Learning more about emotional exhaustion can help you get more insight into your mental health and how it might be improved.

What is emotional exhaustion?

Emotional exhaustion is more than just feeling tired. When you’re emotionally exhausted, you may feel totally drained. This exhaustion may affect you emotionally, mentally and physically. Even the simplest activities can seem impossible or overwhelming. Emotional exhaustion often develops during a long period of sustained stress or pressure.

If you’re emotionally exhausted, you’re not alone. Emotional exhaustion affects many people. In one American Psychological Association survey, 32% of adult American workers reported experiencing emotional exhaustion. People often become emotionally exhausted after pushing themselves too hard. You may get exhausted when you work hard and don’t take enough time to rest. For many people, the source of this exhaustion is their job. For college students, it might be a combination of a lot of different things. You may be trying to excel in your academics while also keeping up an active social life and planning for the future. When you focus too much on your responsibilities without taking time for yourself, you may get burnt out.

Emotional exhaustion can have different effects for different people. Common effects include irritability, emotional detachment and a loss of motivation. You may also experience signs of physical stress, such as headaches and stomachaches. 

How can mental health treatment address emotional exhaustion?

You don’t have to manage your emotional exhaustion alone; seeking treatment can be an important step toward recovery. Therapy is one potentially beneficial option. If regular therapy isn’t working, you may want to consider more comprehensive treatment programs.

Programs such as Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) can offer significant advantages. One-on-one psychotherapy sessions play a major role. In addition, treatment programs incorporate other strategies like group support and family therapy. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that you get the help you need to improve your mental health. Some key ways treatment can help address emotional exhaustion include:

• Cause identification — Understanding the reasons behind your emotional exhaustion is important. Once you understand why you’re exhausted, you can take steps to address the cause and prevent further exhaustion. With individual therapy, you can discuss potential causes with a licensed clinical therapist. Reasons for emotional exhaustion range from relationship challenges to an unsustainable work-life balance. Your therapist can help pinpoint the causes underlying your exhaustion. They can then help you find treatment solutions.
• Coping tools — Effective coping mechanisms can be essential to maintaining good mental health. The best coping tools for you will depend on your situation and mental health needs. Your therapist can help you discover and practice personalized coping tools. If you’re having trouble overworking yourself, your therapist may help you practice setting boundaries and saying no. College students often get exhausted because they feel like time gets away from them. This can cause tasks to become overwhelming. If you’re in this situation, your therapist may help you with time management strategies. Maybe your mental exhaustion is tied to anxiety. In this case, relaxation techniques may be ideal coping tools. The right coping strategies will provide you with practical tools for navigating challenges. They can make it easier to manage your mental health in a range of different situations.
• Supportive environment — Quality mental health treatment creates a supportive environment for recovery. This supportive environment can give you a safe place to talk about your thoughts and feelings. It can also help you feel more comfortable about your mental health challenges. When you enter a treatment program, your treatment providers want you to succeed. With help from compassionate experts, you can get the motivation you need to recover. If you’re not sure whether a full treatment program is right for you yet, you can still get support through online support groups.

Address your exhaustion and boost your mental energy levels with treatment from Lightfully U

Lightfully U can help you recover from your mental exhaustion and prevent burnout in the future. Our treatment framework consists of clearly defined, evidence-based and whole-person-centered care. With our help, you can reduce stress and start feeling energized.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.